On 15th December I will be running the Malaga Marathon to raise funds for the Western Isles Association for mental health. Mental health is an issue that is close to my heart as I have lost 2 friends to suicide, Hugh Mackenzie and Jamie Shuttleworth, two young men that were taken far too soon. I have chosen this charity because last year Hugh's sister Juliet Rose and Stornoway Running and Athletics Club organised the Hugh Mackenzie trail race in his memory which raised an amazing £5241.65! Unfortunately this year the race hasn't been able to take place so hopefully by taking part in my first ever marathon I will be able to raise money in memory of my former clubmate and childhood friend for a worthwhile cause.

I first met Jamie during my time at university where we were both involved in the GCU Athletics team, he was by far one of the best and funniest guys I met at uni. After graduating he went on to have a promising journalism career. Jamie had struggled with his mental health for a number of years and he used his platform in the world of journalism to share his struggles and spread awareness for mental health. He wrote a brilliant article in the Glasgow times in 2021 in the run up to mental health awareness week. Unfortunately a few weeks later, he lost his battle with depression and passed away aged just 29. I've left the link to his article below.

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19292219.mental-health-awareness-week-glasgow-man-talks-battle-depression/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGkEtdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWbd6VsTn3xXF18Wrp7P9efuNDU-0fe7Ogi_gVzJC6BPMkQ_9W1EgsGSkQ_aem_jJxmzcJ0x8KyR1xskX6SAw#comments-anchor

I first met Hugh in nursery (his mum Sheena was our teacher!) and through the years we remained close friends and shared a passion for football and running. We enjoyed a lot of success over the years representing SRAC up and down the country. Our best moment together in a SRAC vest was competing in the 2015 national cross country championships where we won an u17 silver team medal, the first time a SRAC team had ever been on a national podium, a part of the clubs history Hugh will always be a part of. Hugh suffered with his mental health over a number of years and in 2018 he passed away aged just 19. His legacy lives on through the amazing work his family do raising money for WIAMH and spreading awareness of the importance of looking after your mental health.